We have a little joke in the design studio. If a client says “we just need _____,” there is no such thing as “just.” Although it’s understandable that a lot of little things can add up to an unexpectedly bigger budget for a “small reno,” there are a few single line items that can - and often do - surprise you and your plans. Here are 5 of them. Thankfully at Fixture Studio, we’re familiar with those landmines and are here to help you make the most of your budget.
- Cabinetry
For kitchen and bath remodels, it’s often one the biggest expenses in your budget. Lots of cabinets - especially those going to a tall ceiling - can stack up fast. (Pun intended.) Don’t be surprised to see numbers that are in the tens of thousands. What drives up those numbers? Lots of drawers, specialty cabinets and sizes (like built-in spice racks, pantry pull-outs, paper towel holders, and pan racks). Then, of course you have to factor in solid wood vs laminate, what kind of door style, what type of closing solutions you want…and the list goes on. What can help mitigate that? Re-using cabinet boxes, painting instead of replacing, less built-ins and more third-party, in-cabinet storage solutions, to name a few. There are lots of great ideas that can help you get what you need in cabinets for a price you can live with.
- Countertops
Trends can be expensive. And you do pay for quality. However, you can often get the almost identical look of an expensive material for a better price in other materials. The rule of thumb is not only the material itself, but also how it’s made that will directly affect pricing. Quartzite, for example, is a natural stone and really beautiful, but it is also pricey, and a bit hard to work with for specialty edges. Quartz, however, is often more affordable and easier to work with. Granite is also more affordable, though the look isn’t for everyone. Tiled countertops are re-trending, and there are ways to make it functional AND beautiful. Concrete, laminate, butcher block, stainless steel…lots of choices. The key is how you intend on using your countertops and the total square footage needed. Mixing materials is also a great way to get the most bang for your buck. We have some really fun ideas that can elevate and enhance your design without breaking the bank.
- Exterior Walls
I get it. You’d like to add a couple transom windows or make the existing windows bigger to add more light…or move the door from this wall to this one to create a better flow. All doable, and maybe even preferable. However, the minute you touch an exterior wall there is a domino effect that adds $$ to your budget. Are the windows we are changing symmetrical in any way with other windows on the same side of the house? If yes, you don’t want the outside of your home to look strange by changing one side and not the other. What’s your exterior finish? Is the color or material still available? Is the color matchable now that it may have faded? If there isn’t a way to match existing, are you prepared to do the entire exterior to match? There’s also new framing, drywall, interior paint, interior and exterior trims, etc. to consider when touching an exterior wall. There are ways we can increase "lightness" or improve flow without having to touch an exterior wall. It’s about experience and creativity. And we have both.
- Painting
When you just want to move the ceiling fan over a few inches, or if you want to just paint this wall, you can have another domino effect. There’s drywall patches to consider. Then of course, there’s color matching paint that may have faded in areas. And if rooms flow into one another, like many of the great room concepts we have now, then it’s hard to create a stopping point in your painting so we don’t see obvious lines. At an average of $5-6 per square foot for paint labor only, you can easily get into the tens of thousands again. Although paint is often the easiest and most cost-effective way to change up a room, working with your designer to understand how to maximize the effect without torching the budget is always a good way to go.
- Finally…Finishes
I know this seems like a “no-duh” kind of one. but it would surprise you how often it surprises clients when they believe they are selecting “mid-level” finishes. Even though the tile itself may not be expensive, installation might be. Mosaic and small format tiles are pricier to install, for example. Hardwood is more expensive in material and installation than engineered wood or LVP. If we need to skim a wall to smooth it out for wallpaper, prep work can add to the cost to hang it. Drywall finishes can be pricey, too - the smoother you go the more expensive it gets. The style of doors and hardware, baseboards and crown moldings…it can add up pretty quickly especially when you consider how it is installed.
The bottom line is this: you can still have the space you want and absolutely love for a price you can afford by working with a professional designer & remodeler like Fixture Studio. We will help you navigate the landmines, find great solutions to challenges, and ensure your budget is carefully managed. Even if it’s just a small reno, just a few new finishes, or just moving a couple light switches around, let us help you sleep easier and avoid unwanted surprise parties.
